Attendees to the March 15 event, “Expanding Your Circle of Influence,” will hear from Cheryl Read, president of Cheryl L. Read & Associates. Read, who has more than 30 years of experience in brand marketing, communications and relationship management, will share her advice on seeking out new connections, building relationships and ultimately expanding your Circle of Influence. The cost to attend is $30 for members, $40 for non-members and $25 for students.

Throughout her corporate and financial experience, Read spent 29 years with Tennessee-based HCA, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. Her responsibilities included all division communications, marketing management, diversity and inclusion and community relations at HCA working specifically with the hospitals located in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Georgia.

IABC Nashville won the 2017 Small Chapter of the Year award at the Feb. 23 International Association of Business Communicator’s 2017 Chapter Management Awards in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, the chapter won two Chapter Management Awards (CMAs) in the categories of Event Management and Communication Management.

This year’s accolades were due in large part to the chapter’s efforts to communicate the rebranding of its Music City Gold Pen Awards and organization of the awards gala that was held in May at the Oak Room at Greenbrier Distillery. This is the chapter’s second consecutive year of being recognized for Chapter Management achievement. In 2016, IABC Nashville’s efforts to incorporate new branding to align with the association’s new guidelines earned the chapter a CMA in Communication Management.

“IABC is the only place where professional communicators can connect globally network, and we are proud to be a part of that network,” said IABC Nashville President Tom Kenley. “These projects required a lot of hard work and dedication over the past few years, and we are especially proud that IABC recognized those efforts.”

ABOUT IABC NASHVILLEIABC/Nashville is one of more than 100 chapters in 70 countries providing learning opportunities for its members and professional development sessions that offer new insights into the latest communication trends, technology and issues facing the industry. The chapter is diverse, with members representing area agencies, broadcast stations, corporations, universities and nonprofit organizations. IABC/Nashville also offers ties to job bank services and the annual ‘Gold Pen’ communication awards program. To learn more visit nashville.iabc.com.